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(Gray) Patriot 5K in the running for most popular race

(Gray) Patriot 5K in the running for most popular race

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 6:57 am

by Tom Nolette

Running: Patriot 5K in the running for most popular racePrize money adds to the young event’s appeal.By John Rolfe

There are relatively few Maine road races whose popularity obliges them to impose a cap on their number of entrants, but the Patriot 5K in Gray is now among those good-problem-to-have events. In its four years, the race has grown as fast as its loop course around Crystal Lake, from 256 finishers in 2010, to 405 the next year, to 701 in 2012 and then 776 last year. For the fifth running, on Saturday, May 17, there is an announced limit of 1,000 registrants for “Maine’s fastest and richest 5K,” as the race bills itself, with prizes and cash exceeding $5,000. And there is also a $1,000 bonus for setting a Maine record at the distance...